what is this???

Pito · 06/04/2011, 02:26 PM

Can some one tell what this black slime is on my sand??

dzhuo · 06/04/2011, 02:32 PM

It's cyanobacteria.

Pito · 06/04/2011, 03:56 PM

cyano is red or can it be black??

dzhuo · 06/04/2011, 04:01 PM

Yes. There are different color variations (even green or deep blue).

Pito · 06/04/2011, 04:23 PM

I bought this this powder from chemiclean is that any good?

papawheelie · 06/04/2011, 06:37 PM

Normally, if you just turn your lights off for a few days, cyano will disappear.

muttley000 · 06/04/2011, 07:21 PM

Increased flow helps also.

dzhuo · 06/04/2011, 11:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pito

I bought this this powder from chemiclean is that any good?

Never used ChemiClean and not sure what powder you purchased. Almost all algae or cyano issues come down to excess nutrient or incorrect spectrum from lights. Finding ways to reduce nutrient is the only way to keep them out of your tank long term. There are lots of ways to do this:

1. Reduce feeding.
2. Using 0 TDS RO/DI for top off and water change.
3. Increase flow; minimize dead spots.
4. GFO, skimmer, and carbon.
5. Fuge and macro algae.
6. Culturing bacteria via vodka, vinegar or Bio-pellets.
7. Filter socks (needs cleaning every ~3 days) to remove particules.
8. More water changes.
9. Reduce light and make sure bulbs are the correct spectrum (and age).
10. Regular siphoning of debris or top level of sand. Turkey baster rocks. Manually remove as much as you can.
11. Properly sized CUC.

If your tank is new, it might go away on its own. Cyano is part of almost every tank. I have seen cyano in even the prettiest SPS tanks show up from time to time. It's not the end of the world. Find out where the excess nutrient is coming from and deal with it.

06/04/2011, 02:32 PM	#2
dzhuo Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2002 Posts: 4,338	It's cyanobacteria. __________________ One of the most frustrating thing about this hobby? The blind leading the blind.

06/04/2011, 03:56 PM	#3
Pito Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Barksdale AFB, LA Posts: 63	cyano? cyano is red or can it be black??

06/04/2011, 04:01 PM	#4
dzhuo Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2002 Posts: 4,338	Yes. There are different color variations (even green or deep blue). __________________ One of the most frustrating thing about this hobby? The blind leading the blind.

06/04/2011, 07:21 PM	#7
muttley000 MTS Sufferer! Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: NW Ohio Posts: 1,926	Increased flow helps also. __________________ Next step on the system is adding A 90 gallon! Current Tank Info: 475 multitank system is now running! Several hundred gallons of additions planned!

06/04/2011, 04:23 PM	#5
Pito Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Barksdale AFB, LA Posts: 63	I bought this this powder from chemiclean is that any good?

06/04/2011, 06:37 PM	#6
papawheelie Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: South Florida Posts: 79	Normally, if you just turn your lights off for a few days, cyano will disappear.